St Louis Cathedral

A very catholic place in the most populous city in old French Louisiana. The St. Louis Cathedral (technically the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France) that heads Jackson Square and the neighboring French Market is a still-operating relic of days past ... one started in 1718 ... and still a full-fledged parish.

Open for tours of the Cathedral and the adjacent Ursuline Convent Museum, daily Mass is still celebrated. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Beautiful interior appointments throughout, a visit here can bring all sorts of blessings.

Beautiful architecture Review: St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans

The St. Louis Cathedral is an absolute gem right in the heart of the French Quarter. Even if you're not into churches, this place is worth a visit just for the beauty and history alone.

What Stands Out
* The Look: The outside is stunning, with those iconic spires that make it one of the most photographed spots in New Orleans. Step inside, and it's even more impressive--stained glass, beautiful ceilings, and just an overall peaceful vibe.
* The Location: It's right in Jackson Square, surrounded by street performers, artists, and all the lively French Quarter energy. It's like stepping into a postcard.
* The Vibes: Despite the hustle and bustle outside, it's super quiet and calming inside--a nice break from the party scene.

Pro Tips
* Go early or later in the day to beat the crowds.
* Entry is free, but tossing in a small donation is a nice way to give back.
* If you're around during a service, try to catch one--it adds a whole other layer of meaning to the visit.

Bottom Line

Whether you're snapping a photo, soaking up the history, or just taking a breather, the St. Louis Cathedral is a must-see when you're in New Orleans. It's beautiful, peaceful, and so quintessentially NOLA.

ran inside to escape an insane homeless man who had his hands inside his pants screaming at people.

the church is beautiful. the art work on the windows and ceiling are insane! the church itself is breath taking and it's even better on the inside.

Beautiful Cathedral. We ran out on time to go inside for a tour. After dark we went to the back and saw the Jesus statue. On the wall of the Cathedral you can see the shadow of the of the statue and you could see Touch Down Jesus. It's Jesus making the sign of a touchdown during the football game near the goal posts.

What a beauty. We stopped in on a Saturday morning just after 9AM and were just blown away by both the outside and the inside.

I loved the old pews so worn, but welcoming to all. Take the time to look around, reflect and if it moves you pray. I took a stroll around and donated to light some candles and pray in front of the statue of the Blessed Mother.

If your not into faith at least stop here to see this iconic landmark of New Orleans. Beautiful architecture and so much history not only inside the building, but around it. My wife and I took some beautiful night shots in front of the Cathedral.

Very peaceful. Don't forget to donate a few dollars and at the very least stop in for a break from the heat!

Beautiful old church in New Orleans by Jackson Square

Check out the art and ornamentation.

It's been over 10 years since I entered this Cathedral (and wrote a review). This Basilica continues to dominate Jackson Square-area sky line and offers a welcome respite inside, whether one is Catholic or not.

An old friend I used to work with in Baton Rouge once explained to me that generally speaking, Protestants dominated north of I-10, while Catholics did so South. I think that's a reflection of the French, Spanish, and other Catholic countries that first settled and thrived in this area of Louisiana. And judging by the "We Need Priests" sign I witnessed inside the sanctuary, keeping a faith vibrant is always an ongoing challenge.

Beautiful cathedral in Jackson square that was open to the public. We went in for a quick moment and sat so we wouldn't disturb anyone that was worshiping. We are not Catholic but really enjoy how lovely their cathedrals are. so beautiful and peaceful and history,
outside surrounded by art and street performances and a park.
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St. Louis Cathedral is located in the heart of the French Quarter. Its Gothic architecture is amazing. The cathedral is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S., and legend has it that the grounds are haunted by spirits from its centuries-old history.

Beautiful cathedral in the French Quarter of New Orleans. We went to Sunday mass last month and it was really nice. The exterior reminds me of some of the churches I saw in Italy last year. It's old and one of the oldest in the country I believe. It's adjacent to Jackson Square and it was packed on the morning we went so get there early to get a seat in the pew.